Cyber Incident Victim: Bulatlat
Date:
Dec 2018
Location:
Philippines
Summary
A group of independent media websites, including Bulatlat, experienced distributed denial-of-service attacks following their coverage of a controversial political anniversary, rendering the sites inaccessible. The AlterMidya network and journalist organizations condemned the cyberattacks as deliberate assaults on press freedom and democratic discourse, emphasizing the legitimate role of alternative media in broadening national dialogue. The incidents highlighted ongoing threats to free expression amid concerns over executive power overreach.
| CIA Posture | Motives | Tactics, Techniques & Procedures |
|---|---|---|
| Available to members | 2 motives | 1 technique |
| Threat Actors | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 0 actors | Available to members | Available to members |
Description
On December 26, 2018, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks targeted the websites of independent Philippine media outlets Bulatlat, Kodao, and Pinoy Weekly, rendering them inaccessible. The cyberattacks coincided with the publication of stories marking the 50th anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines. AlterMidya, a national network of independent media organizations, publicly condemned the attacks on December 28 through its National Secretariat chairperson Luis Teodoro. Teodoro characterized the incidents as direct assaults against media entities committed to truth-telling amid state pressures on press freedoms. The technical disruption prevented public access to the news sites for an unspecified duration following the initial attack date.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) joined AlterMidya in denouncing the takedowns as simultaneous attacks undermining constitutional freedoms. Both organizations framed the cyberattacks within broader concerns about executive overreach and democratic erosion, emphasizing the alternative media's role in diversifying national discourse. No attribution for the attacks was provided in the statements. Teodoro specifically highlighted the outlets' perseverance against systemic threats to expression while NUJP affirmed their legitimacy within the media landscape. The incident drew attention to operational vulnerabilities of independent media amid politically contentious reporting cycles.